As society delves deeper into the age of technology, students are being educated over the Internet within the school systems, and ETSU stands out in this area.
It is now possible for those in the dental hygiene program to attain a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, known as a B.S.D.H., through online courses. The Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved the curriculum in July 2000.
This B.S.D.H. program is only for students who have already completed an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree or Certificate in Dental Hygiene and have had at least two years of practical experience. ETSU is one of only two universities who have the Online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program in the United States.
The program takes two years to complete online, but admissions chair Charles C. Faust IV said, “All students have a choice between the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree and the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene” but since the latter has been put into effect, “all our students are now enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program.”
By completing the program, students will gain expertise in periodontal therapies, supportive periodontal therapies, soft tissue management, geriatric therapy, community and rural health anesthesia and pain control, and teaching strategies for health professionals.
“Though students have the option of online courses or traditionally taught classes, the online courses seem to be popular due to the fact that one is not required to physically attend on campus, which helps free up more time for other studies,” Faust said.
ETSU’s online courses are not only for Tennessee residents. Within the dental hygiene department there are now 34 online students, and only half are on the ETSU campus. The other students are from California, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.
Currently, ETSU carries an out-of-state online fee, but the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program Director Karen King said, “We’re looking into electronic rates for online students, which would be beneficial to all involved.” She also said for students to be on the lookout for a new online course coming next fall.
For more information about the new program, please contact King at kingk@etsu.edu or Faust at faust@etsu.edu.

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